Quick-dry filter dewatering mobile process and apparatus

Abstract

Utilizing mobile walls, a transportable (or stationary) low cost, low carbon footprint process and apparatus with a granular filter media dry cell (for filter or bed) for dewatering particulate solids from liquid. The mobile wall structures can be made of a rigid structure constructed of new or preferred salvaged materials, assembled, with watertight joints, used, disassembled and stored for redeployment. The walls are set in a keyway utilizing whatever soil composition is available. The walls can be used in the previous Deskins filters as old wall replacement or new wall construction. The invention utilizes a generator that is not dependent upon site or local electricity thus can be operated in any location. All parts can be engineered, fabricated according to the design of the Quick-Dry Filter Dewatering Mobile Process and Apparatus, packed in shipping containers and be readily available for any immediate need.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A modular dewatering system for removing water from a waste water composition comprising water and particulate solids, the dewatering system comprising:
 a non-porous container having a watertight wall comprising a plurality of removably coupled wall sections, a plurality of connections for connecting together the plurality of removably coupled wall sections, and a non-porous bottom having a valley and an exit hole therethrough; 
 a porous filter layer filling the non-porous container; 
 a first drain pipe communicating with the exit hole, wherein the water is separated from the particulate solids in the composition by passing through the porous filter layer, the separated water being removed from the non-porous container though the first drain pipe, and 
 a first vertical support post and a second vertical support post at opposite ends of the watertight wall; 
 a first plurality of holes in the plurality of removably coupled wall sections; and 
 a connector passing through the plurality of holes and coupled to the first and second vertical support posts, wherein the plurality of removably coupled wall sections are aligned in a first horizontal alignment and a first vertical alignment forming the watertight wall. 
 
     
     
       2. The dewatering system of  claim 1 , wherein the non-porous bottom is defined by a non-porous liner positioned on a bottom of the dewatering system and including the exit hole therethrough. 
     
     
       3. The dewatering system of  claim 1 , wherein the porous filter layer is comprised of porous large filter media layer comprising large filter media positioned in the non-porous container; a porous grid layer positioned on top of the porous layer of large filter media, the porous grid layer comprising a non-porous grid having passageways therethrough; and porous fine filter media positioned in the passageways of the grid; and a porous filter sand layer comprising filter sand positioned on top of the grid layer. 
     
     
       4. The dewatering system of  claim 1 , wherein the first drain pipe extends through the exit hole, a collection portion of the first drain pipe having a plurality of porous openings in the drain pipe to allow water to pass into the first drain pipe. 
     
     
       5. The dewatering system of  claim 4 , wherein the collection portion of the first drain pipe is positioned in the valley and at least partially surrounded by the porous layer comprising large filter media. 
     
     
       6. The dewatering system of  claim 1 , further comprising a wastewater source providing the waste water composition to the non-porous container. 
     
     
       7. The dewatering system of  claim 6 , wherein the wastewater source further comprises a substantially horizontal pipe positioned through a second plurality of holes and one or more delivery ports connected to the pipe providing the waste water composition to the non-porous container. 
     
     
       8. The dewatering system of  claim 1 , further comprising a treating unit treating at least one of the composition, the water, and the particulate solids; and a generator providing electrical power to the treating unit. 
     
     
       9. The dewatering system of  claim 8 , wherein the treating unit is selected from the group consisting of a polymer preparation unit, a sludge transfer pump, a tankless water heater, an electronic water conditioner, and a turbidimeter. 
     
     
       10. The dewatering system of  claim 1 , wherein the removably coupled wall sections are selected from a group of wall sections having a plurality of heights. 
     
     
       11. The dewatering system of  claim 1 , wherein the removably coupled wall sections are configured to be coupled together in a first order to form a first watertight wall in a first location, uncoupled from each other, and re-coupled together to a second order to form a second watertight wall in a second location. 
     
     
       12. The dewatering system of  claim 1 , wherein the removably coupled wall sections are corrugated so as to define ridges and grooves. 
     
     
       13. The dewatering system of  claim 1 , wherein the removably coupled wall sections are formed from a rigid non-porous material selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, vinyl covered composite material, steel, fiberglass, light weight concrete, aluminum, wood, and composites thereof. 
     
     
       14. The dewatering system of  claim 1 , wherein the removably coupled wall sections are formed from at least one of salvage, waste, and recycled material. 
     
     
       15. The dewatering system of  claim 1 , wherein the watertight wall is self-supporting. 
     
     
       16. The dewatering system of  claim 12 , wherein the ridges and grooves of the corrugated watertight wall extend substantially vertically. 
     
     
       17. The dewatering system of  claim 1 , each of said connections includes a flat butyl sealing material between a first wall section of the plurality of removably coupled wall sections and a second wall section of the plurality of removably coupled wall sections adjacent to the first section of the plurality of removably coupled wall sections, wherein the first and second sections are coupled in an overlapping fashion forming a joint, the adjacent wall sections being fastened together with a fastener at said joint, the flat butyl sealing material sealing the fastener and the joint. 
     
     
       18. The dewatering system of  claim 17 , wherein the fastener comprises at least one of a bolt, a screw, and a nut. 
     
     
       19. The dewatering system of  claim 1 , wherein the watertight wall further comprises a butyl rope material between a first wall section and a second wall section adjacent to the first section of the plurality of removably coupled wall sections, wherein the first and second sections are coupled in a male/female configuration. 
     
     
       20. The dewatering system of  claim 1 , wherein the connector is selected from the group consisting of a cable and turnbuckle, a chain, a rope, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       21. The dewatering system of  claim 1 , further comprising a base, the watertight wall being positioned on a top surface of the base and a portion of the non-porous liner being positioned on a side surface of the base. 
     
     
       22. The dewatering system of  claim 21 , wherein the base further comprises a keyway configured to receive the wall sections to form the watertight wall. 
     
     
       23. The dewatering system of  claim 22 , wherein the keyway is configured to receive the formed watertight wall. 
     
     
       24. The dewatering system of  claim 22 , wherein the keyway is configured to receive the plurality of wall sections, the wall sections being coupled while positioned in the keyway to form the watertight wall. 
     
     
       25. The dewatering system of  claim 22 , wherein the keyway further comprises fill material positioned in the keyway, the fill material supporting the watertight wall. 
     
     
       26. The dewatering system of  claim 25 , wherein the fill material is selected from concrete, crushed rock, stone, lava rock, sand, hardened rubber, reclaimed asphalt, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       27. The dewatering system of  claim 21 , wherein the base is non-porous. 
     
     
       28. The dewatering system of  claim 27 , wherein the non-porous base is formed of concrete. 
     
     
       29. The dewatering system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second plurality of holes in the plurality of removably coupled sections positioned above the first plurality of holes, each of the second plurality of holes being larger than each of the first plurality of holes. 
 
     
     
       30. The dewatering system of  claim 6 , wherein the wastewater source further comprises one or more flow valves controlling a flow rate of the waste water composition to the non-porous container. 
     
     
       31. The dewatering system of  claim 6 , wherein the wastewater source further comprises couplers for ease of installation and disassembly of the dewatering system. 
     
     
       32. The dewatering system of  claim 2 , wherein the bottom further comprises two complementary portions that slant downward forming the valley, the non-porous liner being coupled to a side surface of a base. 
     
     
       33. The dewatering system of  claim 32 , wherein the non-porous liner is coupled to the side surface of the base with a fastener selected from one or more sealants, one or more straps, one or more anchors, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       34. The dewatering system of  claim 32 , wherein the non-porous liner is further positioned on a side surface of the watertight wall. 
     
     
       35. The dewatering system of  claim 33 , wherein the non-porous liner is coupled to the watertight wall with a fastener selected from one or more sealants, one or more straps, one or more anchors, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       36. The dewatering system of  claim 32 , wherein the non-porous liner extends to a top of the plurality of removably coupled wall sections. 
     
     
       37. The dewatering system of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of porous openings are distributed circumferentially around the drain pipe. 
     
     
       38. The dewatering system of  claim 3 , wherein the grid layer provides surface and subsurface stabilization of the grid layer and the porous layer of filter sand. 
     
     
       39. The dewatering system of  claim 3 , wherein the large filter media, fine filter media, and filter sand have an effective gradation to allow particulate solids to collect on a top surface of the porous filter sand layer. 
     
     
       40. The dewatering system of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a supply pipe fluidly connected to a wastewater source providing the waste water composition, the supply pipe extending through the non-porous liner to a wastewater outlet positioned above a porous filter sand layer; and 
 a baffle positioned on top of the porous filter sand layer, the baffle comprising: 
 a splash pad positioned to contact at least a portion of the waste water composition exiting the wastewater outlet; 
 a restriction wall surrounding the splash pad configured to restrict the flow of waste water on to the porous filter sand layer; and 
 an outlet positioned in the restriction wall configured to allow a portion of the waste water to pass through the restriction wall and on to the porous filter sand layer. 
 
     
     
       41. The dewatering system of  claim 1 , further comprising: a second drain pipe having a first end in fluid communication with the first drain pipe and a second end positioned above the porous filter sand layer, the second end having an elevation above the bottom and comprising a weir for removing water above the elevation, the weir including a filter allowing water at the elevation to enter the second drain pipe but restricting solids from entering the second drain pipe; wherein the water is separated from the particulate solids in the composition by passing through one or more of the porous layers, the separated water being removed from the non-porous container though at least one of the first and second drain pipes. 
     
     
       42. The dewatering system of  claim 1 , further comprising a weir removably coupled to one of the plurality of removably coupled wall sections and having an elevation above the bottom of the non-porous container for removing water above the elevation from the non-porous container to a second non-porous container, the one of the plurality of removably coupled wall sections being common to the non-porous container and the second non-porous container, wherein the position of the weir above the bottom of the non-porous container is configured to be adjusted between a first position defining a first elevation and a second position defining a second elevation, the second elevation being less than the first elevation. 
     
     
       43. A dewatering system for removing water from a waste water composition comprising water and particulate solids, the dewatering system comprising:
 a non-porous container having a watertight wall comprising a plurality of removably coupled wall sections, a plurality of connections for connecting together the plurality of removably coupled wall sections, and a non-porous bottom having a valley and an exit hole therethrough; 
 a porous filter layer filling the non-porous container; 
 a drain pipe communicating with the exit hole; 
 a baffle positioned on top of the porous filter layer; 
 a supply pipe communicating with a source of waste water and the baffle, whereupon the waste water flows through the baffle and over a top surface of said porous filter layer; 
 a first vertical support post and a second vertical support post at opposite ends of the watertight wall; 
 a first plurality of holes in the plurality of removably coupled wall sections; and a connector passing through the plurality of holes and coupled to the first and second vertical support posts, wherein the plurality of removably coupled wall sections are aligned in a first horizontal alignment and a first vertical alignment forming the watertight wall. 
 
     
     
       44. The dewatering system of  claim 43 , wherein the supply pipe extends from a position below the porous filter layer to a position adjacent a top surface of the porous filter layer. 
     
     
       45. The dewatering system of  claim 44 , wherein the supply pipe is fluidly connected to a wastewater source providing the waste water composition, the supply pipe extending through the non-porous liner to a wastewater outlet positioned above the porous filter sand layer. 
     
     
       46. The dewatering system of  claim 43 , wherein the baffle further comprises a splash pad positioned to contact at least a portion of the waste water composition exiting the wastewater outlet; a restriction wall surrounding the splash pad configured to restrict the flow of waste water on to the porous filter sand layer; and an outlet positioned in the restriction wall configured to allow a portion of the waste water to pass through the restriction wall and on to the porous filter layer, wherein the water is separated from the particulate solids in the composition by passing through the porous filter layer, the separated water being removed from the non-porous container though the drain pipe. 
     
     
       47. The dewatering system of  claim 43 , further comprising a chemical injection system incorporating a treating agent into the waste water composition. 
     
     
       48. The dewatering system of  claim 47 , wherein the treating agent is a coagulant or flocculant. 
     
     
       49. The dewatering system of  claim 47 , wherein the treating agent is preferably selected from activated polymer, alum, ferric sulfate, ferric chloride, lime, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       50. The dewatering system of  claim 43 , further comprising an inline mixing flocculator to enhance the chemically induced liquids-solids separation of the waste water composition after the chemical injection system. 
     
     
       51. The dewatering system of  claim 43 , wherein the porous filter layer is comprised of porous large filter media layer comprising large filter media positioned in the non-porous container; a porous grid layer positioned on top of the porous layer of large filter media, the porous grid layer comprising a non-porous grid having passageways therethrough; and porous fine filter media positioned in the passageways of the grid; and a porous filter sand layer comprising filter sand positioned on top of the grid layer. 
     
     
       52. The dewatering system of  claim 51 , wherein the baffle further comprises a bottom plate in contact with the porous filter sand layer and a vertical spacer positioned between the bottom plate and the splash pad. 
     
     
       53. The dewatering system of  claim 51 , wherein the baffle further comprises an adjustable gate, the adjustable gate configured to control the amount of waste water passing through the outlet. 
     
     
       54. The dewatering system of  claim 53 , wherein the adjustable gate is a slide gate. 
     
     
       55. The dewatering system of  claim 43 , wherein the supply pipe is connected to the wastewater source with a flexible boot. 
     
     
       56. The dewatering system of  claim 43 , wherein the wastewater source further comprises one or more flow valves controlling a flow rate of the waste water composition to the supply pipe. 
     
     
       57. A dewatering system for removing water from a waste water composition comprising water and particulate solids, the dewatering system comprising:
 a non-porous container having a watertight wall comprising a plurality of removably coupled wall sections, a plurality of connections for connecting together the plurality of removably coupled wall sections, and a non-porous bottom having a valley and an exit hole; 
 a porous filter layer in the non-porous container; 
 a first drain pipe extending through the exit hole; and 
 a second drain pipe having a first end in fluid communication with the first drain pipe and a second end positioned above the porous filter layer, the second end having an elevation above the bottom and comprising a weir for removing water above the elevation, the weir including a filter allowing water at the elevation to enter the second drain pipe but restricting solids from entering the second drain pipe; 
 wherein the water is separated from the particulate solids in the composition by passing through one or more of the porous layers, the separated water being removed from the non-porous container though at least one of the first and second drain pipes; 
 a first vertical support post and a second vertical support post at opposite ends of the watertight wall; 
 a first plurality of holes in the plurality of removably coupled wall sections; and 
 a connector passing through the plurality of holes and coupled to the first and second vertical support posts, wherein the plurality of removably coupled wall sections are aligned in a first horizontal alignment and a first vertical alignment forming the watertight wall. 
 
     
     
       58. The dewatering system of  claim 57 , wherein the porous filter layer is comprised of porous large filter media layer comprising large filter media positioned in the non-porous container; a porous grid layer positioned on top of the porous layer of large filter media, the porous grid layer comprising a non-porous grid having passageways therethrough; and porous fine filter media positioned in the passageways of the grid; and a porous filter sand layer comprising filter sand positioned on top of the grid layer. 
     
     
       59. The dewatering system of  claim 58 , wherein a collection portion of the first drain pipe has a plurality of porous openings in the first drain pipe to allow water to pass into the first drain pipe, the collection portion of the first drain pipe being positioned in the valley and at least partially surrounded by the porous layer of large filter media. 
     
     
       60. The dewatering system of  claim 58 , wherein the non-porous bottom is defined by a non-porous liner positioned on the bottom and including said exit hole therethrough. 
     
     
       61. The dewatering system of  claim 57 , wherein the bottom further comprises two complementary portions that slant downward forming the valley, the second drain pipe extending through one of the complementary portions. 
     
     
       62. The dewatering system of  claim 57 , wherein the wier comprises a plurality of vertical notches around the second end of the second drain pipe. 
     
     
       63. The dewatering system of  claim 57 , further comprising a cap covering the second end of the second drain pipe. 
     
     
       64. A dewatering system for removing water from a waste water composition comprising water and particulate solids, the dewatering system comprising:
 a first non-porous container having a watertight wall comprising a plurality of removably coupled wall sections, a plurality of connections for connecting together the plurality of removably coupled wall sections, and a non-porous bottom having a valley and an exit hole; a porous filter layer positioned in the non-porous container; 
 a first drain pipe extending through the exit hole and a weir removably coupled to one of the plurality removably coupled wall sections and having an elevation above the bottom of the first non-porous container for removing water above the elevation from the first non-porous container to a second non-porous container, the one of the plurality of removably coupled wall sections being common to the first non-porous container and the second non-porous container, wherein the position of the weir above the bottom of the first non-porous container is configured to be adjusted between a first position defining a first elevation and a second position defining a second elevation, the second elevation being less than the first elevation, wherein the water is separated from the particulate solids in the composition by passing through one or more of the porous layers, the separated water being removed from the non-porous container though at least one of the first and second drain pipes; 
 a first vertical support post and a second vertical support post at opposite ends of the watertight wall; 
 a first plurality of holes in the plurality of removably coupled wall sections; and 
 a connector passing through the plurality of holes and coupled to the first and second vertical support posts, wherein the plurality of removably coupled wall sections are aligned in a first horizontal alignment and a first vertical alignment forming the watertight wall. 
 
     
     
       65. The dewatering system of  claim 64 , wherein the porous filter layer is comprised of porous large filter media layer comprising large filter media positioned in the non-porous container; a porous grid layer positioned on top of the porous layer of large filter media, the porous grid layer comprising a non-porous grid having passageways therethrough; and porous fine filter media positioned in the passageways of the grid; and a porous filter sand layer comprising filter sand positioned on top of the grid layer. 
     
     
       66. The dewatering system of  claim 65 , wherein a collection portion of the first drain pipe has a plurality of porous openings in the first drain pipe to allow water to pass into the first drain pipe, the collection portion of the first drain pipe being positioned in the valley and at least partially surrounded by the porous layer of large filter media. 
     
     
       67. The dewatering system of  claim 65 , wherein the non-porous bottom is comprised of a non-porous liner positioned on the bottom and including the exit hole therethrough. 
     
     
       68. The dewatering system of  claim 64 , wherein the weir includes a filter allowing water at the elevation to enter the second non-porous container but restricting solids from entering the second non-porous container. 
     
     
       69. The dewatering system of  claim 64 , wherein the weir further comprises a vertical slot and the common removably coupled wall section further includes fastener extending through the vertical slot, wherein the fastener is tightened in a first position in the vertical slot to position the weir in the first position and the fastener is tightened in a second position in the vertical slot to position the weir in the second position. 
     
     
       70. A method of erecting a modular dewatering system for removing water from a waste water composition comprising water and particulate solids, the method comprising the steps of providing a plurality of removable wall sections and coupling them together to define a non-porous container having a watertight wall; providing a non-porous bottom having a valley and an exit hole therethrough; filling the non-porous container with a porous filter layer; and providing a drain pipe communicating with the exit hole, wherein the water may be separated from the particulate solids in the composition by passing through the porous filter layer, the separated water being removed from the non-porous container though the drain pipe a first vertical support post and a second vertical support post at opposite ends of the watertight wall; a first plurality of holes in the plurality of removably coupled sections; and a connector passing through the plurality of holes and coupled to the first and second vertical support posts, wherein the plurality of removably coupled sections are aligned in a first horizontal alignment and a first vertical alignment forming the watertight wall.